Unified airflow system for ultraviolet disinfection devices

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a unified airflow system for ultraviolet disinfection devices are disclosed. One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a unified airflow assembly and a control unit. The unified airflow assembly provides a shared airflow passage between a UV source and an airflow accessory capable of extracting contaminants from a target surface using a suction airstream. The UV source may be fluidically disconnected from the airflow accessory. The unified airflow assembly may include at least one air restriction unit in the shared airflow passage for manipulating a suction airstream therein. The control unit may be configured to drive the at least one air restriction unit to restrict the suction airstream to only one of the UV source and the airflow accessory.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application incorporates the subject matter of thefollowing patent applications, by reference and in their entirety: U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/095,212, filed Apr. 11,2016, and titled “TARGETED SURFACE DISINFECTION DEVICE WITH PULSED UVLIGHT” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/626,483,filed Feb. 5, 2018, and titled “AN ULTRAVIOLET DISINFECTION DEVICE WITHA CLEANING UNIT,” in which the inventors herein were listed asco-inventors.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein generally relates to ultraviolet(UV) disinfection devices and particularly relates to a unified airflowsystem for UV disinfection devices.

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet (UV) light is widely known for contactless surfacedisinfection. When used in addition to contact-based surface cleaningtasks, e.g., mopping, brushing, wiping, etc., UV-based disinfectionenhances pathogen deactivation on surfaces such as door knobs,cupboards, and floors. Of late, various surface cleaning equipment havebecome available with UV disinfection capabilities. One such surfacecleaning equipment is a floor vacuum-cleaner fitted with a UV lamp thatemits UV light to deactivate pathogens while extracting dirt from afloor. However, the extent of such UV disinfection is limited by thepositioning of UV lamp on the vacuum cleaner.

In one approach, the UV lamp is typically positioned proximate to asuction opening or an air-nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. Since the airdrawn into the air-nozzle via the suction opening becomes unclean withdirt, the UV lamp is typically screened to prevent any operationalinterference by the unclean air. However, such screening prevents thedrawn air from cooling-off the UV lamp that heats-up during operation,thereby deteriorating life and performance of the UV lamp over time.Moreover, the UV lamp, at such positions, projects the UV light towardsthe floor or adjacent lower surfaces such as floor baseboards, and isunable to disinfect surfaces, e.g., table tops, door knobs, etc.,located at a substantial height from the floor. As a result, the UVdisinfection is limited to surfaces close to the ground or those of thevacuum cleaner itself such as the vacuum cleaner body.

In another approach, the UV lamp is usually located away from thesuction opening or the air nozzle, for example, on top of the vacuumcleaner body. Although the UV lamp thus projects the UV light away fromthe floor, an additional component such as a fan is typically requiredto cool-off the UV lamp installed at these locations. Such additionalcomponent amplifies the manufacturing or assembly cost and increases anoverall weight of the vacuum cleaner to impede easy maneuverability.Moreover, at a set orientation, the UV lamp projects the UV light to anarrow surface area causing significant delays when attempting todisinfect a large area such as a room.

On the other hand, traditional area or room UV disinfection devices areused along with the conventional surface cleaning equipment such as mopsand floor vacuum cleaners for faster and wholistic decontamination.However, such use of additional cleaning equipment increases the storageand upkeep cost to make the task of everyday surface decontaminationexpensive and cumbersome. Moreover, typical room UV disinfection devicesgenerate copious amounts of harmful ozone during operation that canadversely affect the health of a user over time.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a unified airflow systemfor ultraviolet disinfection devices. One embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes a unified airflow assembly and a control unit. Theunified airflow assembly provides a shared airflow passage between a UVsource and an airflow accessory capable of extracting contaminants froma target surface using a suction airstream. The UV source may befluidically disconnected from the airflow accessory. The unified airflowassembly may include at least one air restriction unit in the sharedairflow passage for manipulating a suction airstream therein. Thecontrol unit may be configured to drive the at least one air restrictionunit to restrict the suction airstream to only one of the UV source andthe airflow accessory.

One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an integrated devicefor contact and contactless decontamination.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a large-area UVdisinfection device.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to cool a UV lamp of theUV disinfection device that is heated-up during operation.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure is to remove contaminantsfrom target surfaces.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to remove harmful gasesreleased by the UV lamp during operation.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a unifiedairflow system that is compatible with different configurations of aconnected airflow accessory.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide autonomoussurface decontamination through vacuum cleaning and UV disinfection.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is decontamination of surfaces,which are at a significant height from the ground.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide effectivesurface disinfection through prior removal of contaminants from asurface.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure is to decontaminate anddisinfect surfaces on the ground and proximate thereto.

The above summary of exemplary embodiments is not intended to describeeach disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the presentdisclosure. Other and further aspects and features of the disclosurewill be evident from reading the following detailed description of theembodiments, which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be betterunderstood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals throughout. The following description isintended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selectedembodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent withthe subject matter as described herein.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an area ultraviolet (UV)disinfection device including an exemplary unified airflow system,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating acabinet and an articulated head assembly in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a right-side elevation view of the area UV disinfection deviceof FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a left-side elevation view of the area UV disinfection deviceof FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front isometric view of the area UV disinfection device ofFIG. 1 illustrating the right-side of the area UV disinfection device,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of the area UV disinfection device ofFIG. 1 illustrating the left-side of the area UV disinfection device,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the area UV disinfection deviceincluding an exemplary fixed airflow accessory for being used with theunified airflow system of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a rear isometric view of the area UV disinfection device ofFIG. 6 illustrating the right-side of the area UV disinfection device,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a rear isometric view of the area UV disinfection device ofFIG. 1 illustrating the left-side of the area UV disinfection devicewith a dismounted fixed airflow accessory of FIG. 6 , a portion of thecabinet removed from the head assembly, and without the utility pods,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of an exemplary wearable airflowaccessory for the unified airflow system of FIG. 1 , according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a left-side elevation view of the wearable airflow accessoryof FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a rear isometric view of the area UV disinfection device ofFIG. 1 illustrating the wearable airflow accessory of FIG. 9 beingdetachably mounted on the UV disinfection device and utility podsremoved therefrom, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the wearable airflow accessory ofFIG. 9 taken along the line A-A of FIG. 9 , according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of an exemplary cleaning unit for thewearable airflow accessory of FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a left-side elevation view of the cleaning unit of FIG. 13 ,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a left-side elevation view of a detached configuration of thecleaning unit of FIG. 13 , according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary implementation ofthe unified airflow system of FIG. 1 with the area UV disinfectiondevice of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a front isometric view of a first configuration of anexemplary unified airflow assembly for the unified airflow system ofFIG. 16 illustrating the unified airflow assembly mounted on a chassisof the area UV disinfection device of FIG. 1 , according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a left-side elevation view of the unified airflow assembly ofFIG. 17 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a rear isometric view of an exemplary unified airflowassembly of FIG. 17 mounted on the area UV disinfection device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a rear isometric view of the head assembly of the area UVdisinfection device of FIG. 1 without the cabinet taken along the circleA of FIG. 19 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a rear isometric view of the unified airflow assembly of FIG.17 illustrating the fixed airflow accessory of FIG. 6 , according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a right-side elevation view of the unified airflow assemblyof FIG. 17 removed from the chassis, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a rear elevation view of the unified airflow assembly of FIG.22 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the unified airflow assembly ofFIG. 22 taken along the line G-G of FIG. 23 , according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of an exemplary second configuration of theunified airflow assembly of FIG. 16 , according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a schematic illustrating an exemplary airflow regulator forthe unified airflow assembly of FIG. 25 , according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a schematic illustrating alternative configuration of theunified airflow assembly of FIG. 26 , according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a front isometric view of an exemplary third configuration ofthe unified airflow assembly of FIG. 16 mounted on the chassis of thearea UV disinfection device of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a rear isometric view of the unified airflow assembly of FIG.28 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 is a right-side elevation view of the unified airflow assemblyof FIG. 28 removed from the chassis, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 31 is a rear elevation view of the unified airflow assembly of FIG.30 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the unified airflow assembly ofFIG. 30 taken along the line E-E of FIG. 31 , according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 is a schematic illustrating an exemplary fourth configuration ofthe unified airflow assembly of FIG. 16 , according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a schematic illustrating alternative configuration of theunified airflow assembly of FIG. 33 , according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 35-36 illustrate an exemplary method of using the unified airflowassembly of FIG. 17 implemented on the UVD device of FIG. 1 , accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 37-38 illustrate an exemplary method of using the unified airflowassembly of FIG. 25 implemented on the UVD device of FIG. 1 , accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 39-40 illustrate an exemplary method of using the unified airflowassembly of FIG. 28 implemented on the UVD device of FIG. 1 , accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 41-42 illustrate an exemplary method of using the unified airflowassembly of FIG. 33 implemented on the UVD device of FIG. 1 , accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided with reference to thefigures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate thedisclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize number of equivalentvariations in the description that follows without departing from thescope and spirit of the disclosure.

Non-Limiting Definitions

Definitions of one or more terms that will be used in this disclosureare described below without limitations. For a person skilled in theart, it is understood that the definitions are provided just for thesake of clarity and are intended to include more examples than justprovided below.

A “ultraviolet disinfection device” is used in the present disclosure inthe context of its broadest definition. The ultraviolet (UV)disinfection device may refer to a standalone or a networked electronicor electromechanical device capable of providing pulses of ultraviolet(UV) radiation of a desired intensity, dose or frequency within thegermicidal wavelength range of the UV spectrum for disinfection.

“Decontamination” is used in the present disclosure in the context ofits broadest definition. The decontamination may refer to removal orneutralization of unwanted substances from a target surface orenveloping atmosphere.

“Disinfection” is used in the present disclosure in the context of itsbroadest definition. The disinfection may refer to any process ofinactivating or killing pathogens on a target surface using UV lightalone or in combination with a variety of disinfectants known in theart, related art, or developed later including, but not limited to,chemical agents (e.g., alcohols, aldehydes, oxidizing agents, naturallyoccurring or modified compounds, etc.), physical agents (e.g., heat,pressure, vibration, sound, radiation, plasma, electricity, etc.), andbiological agents (e.g., living organisms, plants or plant products,organic residues, etc.).

A “cleaning unit” is used in the present disclosure in the context ofits broadest definition. The cleaning unit may refer to a networked,interconnected or a standalone device capable of using fluid pressureeither alone or in combination with one or more cleaning agents todecontaminate a surface. Examples of cleaning agents may include, butnot limited to, chemical agents, physical agents, and biological agentssuch as those mentioned above.

A term “proximal” is used in the present disclosure in the context ofits broadest definition. The term “proximal” may refer to a side, end,portion, section, location, direction, position, or any other aspectbeing relatively farthest from a UV lamp in communication with the UVdisinfection device.

A term “distal” is used in the present disclosure in the context of itsbroadest definition. The term “distal” may refer to a side, end,portion, section, location, direction, position, or any other aspectbeing relatively closest to the UV lamp in communication with the UVdisinfection device.

A term “airflow accessory” is used in the present disclosure in thecontext of its broadest definition. The airflow accessory may representany powered or non-powered device capable of managing or manipulatingflowrate, direction, physical properties (e.g., temperature, pressure,weight or mass, volume, velocity, concentration, electric charge,viscosity, etc.) or chemical properties (e.g., enthalpy, toxicity, pHvalue, reactivity, flammability, etc.) of a fluid, or any of itsconstituents, such as air for an intended purpose.

Overview

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a UV disinfection deviceincluding a unified airflow system that supports an airflow accessorysuch as a cleaning unit of any configuration and cools a UV light sourcesuch as a UV lamp emitting the UV light for disinfection. The unifiedairflow system includes a control unit and a unified airflow assemblyhaving an airflow regulator and a vacuum pump. The airflow regulator maybe coupled to a vacuum pump creating a suction airstream. The airflowregulator provides a shared air passage between the UV lamp and theairflow accessory configured to use the suction airstream fordecontaminating a surface, where the UV lamp and the airflow accessoryare fluidically disconnected from each other. The airflow regulatorincludes at least one air restriction unit being controlled by thecontrol unit to selectively establish a fluid communication between thevacuum pump and either the UV lamp or the airflow accessory using one ormore hoses. The air restriction unit facilitates the hot air around theUV light source being drawn using the suction airstream while preventingan unclean air from the airflow accessory from moving across to the UVlamp, and vice versa.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is described below in detail with reference tothe drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples so as toenable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. Moreover,where certain elements of the present disclosure can be partially orfully implemented using known components, only those portions of suchknown components that are necessary for an understanding of the presentinvention will be described, and detailed descriptions of other portionsof such known components will be omitted. In the present specification,an embodiment showing a singular component should not be consideredlimiting; rather, it is intended to encompass other embodimentsincluding a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unlessexplicitly stated otherwise herein.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an area ultraviolet disinfection device includingan exemplary unified airflow system, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Embodiments are disclosed in the context of contactand contactless surface decontamination of a large area such as ahospital room. However, in general, such and further embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be applied in other environments including, butnot limited to, clinics, food processing facilities, cruise ships,homes, schools, factories, restaurants, ambulances, locker rooms, andgyms.

The area UV disinfection device 10 (or UVD device 10) may represent awide variety of devices configured to emit or facilitate emission of UVpulses having predetermined characteristics suitable to induce anintended effect (e.g., disinfection, curing, sintering, etc.) on asurface in a short period (e.g., approximately 10 minutes or less) froma relatively long distance (e.g., greater than approximately 1 meterfrom the surface). Examples of these characteristics include, but arenot limited to, energy, frequency, power, wavelength, and dose. The UVDdevice 10 may be implemented to include hardware and installed software,where is closely matched to the requirements and/or functionality of thehardware. In some instances, the UVD device 10 may enhance or increasethe functionality and/or capacity of a network (not shown) to which itmay be connected.

The network may include any software, hardware, or computer applicationsthat can provide a medium to exchange signals or data in any of theformats known in the art, related art, or developed later. The networkmay include, but is not limited to, social media platforms implementedas a website, a unified communication application, or a standaloneapplication. Examples of the social media platforms may include, but arenot limited to, Twitter™, Facebook™, Skype™, Microsoft Lync™, CiscoWebex™, and Google Hangouts™. Further, the network may include, forexample, one or more of the Internet, Wide Area Networks (WANs), LocalArea Networks (LANs), analog or digital wired and wireless telephoneNetworks (e.g., a PSTN, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), acellular network, and Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL), Wi-Fi, radio,television, cable, satellite, and/or any other delivery or tunnelingmechanism for carrying data. The network may include multiple networksor sub-networks, each of which may include, e.g., a wired or wirelessdata pathway. The network may include a circuit-switched voice network,a packet-switched data network, or any other network able to carryelectronic communications. For example, the network may include networksbased on the Internet protocol (IP) or asynchronous transfer mode (ATM),and may support voice using, for example, VoIP, Voice-over-ATM, or othercomparable protocols used for voice, video, and data communications.

The UVD device 10 may also include software, firmware, or otherresources that support remote administration, operation, diagnostics,repair, and/or maintenance thereof. Further, the UVD device 10 may beimplemented in communication with any of a variety of computing devicessuch as a desktop PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, amainframe computer, a mobile computing device (e.g., mobile phones,laptops, etc.), an internet appliance (e.g., a DSL modem, a wirelessaccess point, a router, a base station, a gateway, etc.), and so on. Insome instances, the UVD device 10 may operate, or cease to operate, inresponse to a wearable device including, but not limited to, a fashionaccessory (e.g., a wrist band, a ring, etc.), a utility device(hand-held baton, a pen, an umbrella, a watch, etc.), a body clothing,or any combination thereof, present within a predetermined proximity of,or remotely connected to, the UVD device 10.

The UVD device 10 either independently or in communication with anetwork device may have video, voice, or data communication capabilities(e.g., unified communication capabilities) by being coupled to orincluding, various imaging devices (e.g., cameras, printers, scanners,medical imaging systems, etc.), various audio devices (e.g.,microphones, music players, recorders, audio input devices, speakers,audio output devices, telephones, speaker telephones, etc.), variousvideo devices (e.g., monitors, projectors, displays, televisions, videooutput devices, video input devices, camcorders, etc.), or any othertype of hardware, in any combination thereof. In some instances, the UVDdevice 10 may comprise or implement one or more real-time protocols andnon-real-time protocols known in the art, related art, or developedlater to facilitate data transfer to the networked device.

In one embodiment, the UVD device 10 may include a mobile carriage 15, acabinet 20, a first utility pod 25-1, a second utility pod 25-2, a headassembly 30, a UV lamp 35, a unified airflow system 40, a display unit45, and an airflow accessory 50. The mobile carriage 15 may provide aplatform for supporting various components such as the cabinet 20 andthe UV lamp 35 of the UVD device 10. The mobile carriage 15 may includemobility devices, which may assist to drive the mobile carriage 15 on anintended surface such as a floor based on friction, magnetic levitation,cryogenic levitation, or any other motion principle known in the art,related art, or developed later. For example, the mobile carriage 15 mayinclude omnidirectional wheels 55-1 and 55-2 for navigating the UVDdevice 10 with precision to any desired location within a designatedspace such as a hospital room. The mobile carriage 15 may be controlledremotely by any computing device known in the art, related art, ordeveloped later such as those mentioned above over the network. In someinstances, the mobile carriage 15 may be configured to operate or moveautonomously. For example, the mobile carriage 15 may be fitted withelectric motors connected to the mobility devices, where the electricmotors may be controlled remotely via a control box such as a controlunit 150, discussed in detail below. The mobile carriage 15 may bepartially or fully enclosed in the cabinet 20.

The cabinet 20 may refer to any housing configured to substantiallycover the mobile carriage 15 and protect various components mountedthereon. In some instances, the cabinet 20 may improve the aesthetics ofthe UVD device 10. The cabinet 20 may be made of any durable,fire-retardant or fire-resistant, and light-weight polymers known in theart, related art, or developed later including, but not limited to,polyphenylene sulfide, polyamide-imide, polypropylene, and aramidpolyamide polymers. The cabinet 20 may include components or pocketsthat may be permanently connected, detachably coupled, or integrallyformed thereto based on intended purposes. For example (FIGS. 2-3 ), thecabinet 20 may include a handle 100 for enabling a user to manuallymaneuver the UVD device 10 from one place to another. In anotherexample, one or more utility pods such as the first utility pod 25-1 andthe second utility pod 25-2 (collectively, pods 25) may be attachedexternally to the cabinet 20, allowing for convenient on-board carryingof various tools, supplies and implements, such as wands, mopheads/handles, boxes of wet-wipes or mop-refills, etc. Structurally,such pods 25 may be hollow tridimensional structures, with at least onestaple opening and rigid or semi-rigid walls. In some instances, suchstaple opening may face generally upwards or at a predetermined anglefor easy access.

The pods 25 may have any of a variety of shapes such as a rectangularprismatic (or oval prismatic) shape, which may be either attached to thecabinet 20 at various suitable positions or may be pre-molded (orpreformed) onto the cabinet 20 at the cabinet manufacturing stage.Functionally, such pods 25 may serve to hold (or stow) various tools,supplies and implements, such as wands, mop heads/handles, boxes ofwet-wipes or mop-refills, cleaning supplies, etc. in a proximity whichgives convenience and easy reach to a human operator. These pods 25 mayhave different structural configurations. For example, the first utilitypod 25-1 may be a shorter (less deep) and wider pod, e.g., suitable forboxes of mop heads, boxes of wet-wipes or mop-refills, cleaningsupplies, short wands, short-handled cleaning implements, handheldvacuum cleaners, etc. By contrast, the second utility pod 25-2 may be arelatively longer (deeper) pod, suitable for stowing longer and/ornarrower implements, such as long wands and long mop-handles. Otherstructural configurations may include the pods 25 having any suitabledimensions, structures, or shapes depending on items intended to becarried or engaged therewith. Such pods 25 may be placed in any suitableposition, e.g., outside (or extending towards inside) the cabinet 20,provided such placement does not interfere with the intendedfunctionality of the UVD device 10.

Various other kinds, sizes, and shapes of utility pods 25 may also becontemplated based an intended purpose or items to be held therein, suchas refuse-holding pods, pods for dirty (or used) wipes, pods for holdingvarious tools and electrical cords, pods with optional lids and liners,pods for documents and paperwork, pods with openings both at the top andat the bottom, pods placed entirely or partially within the insidevolume of cabinet 20, etc. The pods 25 may be made of any suitablematerial known in the art, related art, or developed later includingthose described above for the cabinet 20, such that the material hassuitable rigidity, mechanical tolerance, and resistance to the UV lightor various other types of decontamination and disinfection agents knownin the art, related art, or developed later. Adjacent to the pods 25(FIGS. 4-5 ), the cabinet 20 may include a recess 60 for receiving thehead assembly 30, or a portion thereof, in a retracted position.However, other suitable locations may be contemplated for the recess 60on the cabinet 20 based on functional and structural configurations ofthe head assembly 30.

The head assembly 30 may be supported on the mobile carriage 15 andsecured to a vertical journal 65, which may be selectively rotated by amotor (not shown), thereby allowing the head assembly 30 to follow apanning motion about a vertical axis in an open position, asillustrated. The vertical journal 65 may be connected to a motorizedtilt mechanism 62, which may rotate about a horizontal axis parallel tothe floor for selectively pivoting the head assembly 30 from the openposition to a retracted position (not shown), and vice versa. Themotorized tilt mechanism 62 in combination with the vertical journal 65may allow precise pan, swivel, tilt, and rotatory movements of the headassembly 30. In the retracted position, the head assembly 30 may beseated within the recess 60 of the cabinet 20.

In one embodiment, the head assembly 30 may include the UV lamp 35configured to orient in different directions for projecting the UV lightdepending on the movement of the head assembly 30. For example, in theillustrated open position, the head assembly 30 may move out of therecess 60 and tilt to a predetermined angle with respect to thehorizontal axis for allowing the UV lamp 35, upon activation, to projectthe UV light through a quartz window 67 in a front panel 69 of the headassembly 30. Such tilt of the head assembly 30 may depend on the heightof a target surface from the ground. For example, the head assembly 30may be tilted substantially downwards about the horizontal axis for theUV lamp 35 to project the UV light through the quartz window 67 on tothe ground and/or surfaces proximate thereto, e.g., zero toapproximately 2 feet from the ground. In another example, the headassembly 30 may be tilted substantially upwards about the horizontalaxis for the UV lamp 35 to project the UV light through the window 67 onto a ceiling and/or surfaces proximate thereto such as 8 feet to 10 feetfrom the ground. Other examples may include the head assembly 30 beingtilted to fixed or gradually changing angles for projecting the UV lighton target surfaces at a substantial height, e.g., approximately 2 feetto approximately 8 feet, from the ground.

Further, in the retracted position of the head assembly 30, the UV lamp35 may be deactivated; however, some embodiments may include the UV lamp35 being configured to emit the UV light to a predetermined site withinthe UVD device 10 in such retracted position. In some other embodimentsmay include movement and orientation of the UV lamp 35 being independentof the movement of the head assembly 30. Further embodiments may includeadditional UV sources such as the UV lamp 35 enclosed in a housing andplaced at other suitable locations on the UVD device 10. Examples ofthese locations may include, but not limited to, outer surface of thecabinet 20 and the mobile carriage 15.

The UV lamp 35 may be of any suitable type known in the art, relatedart, or developed later including a mercury-vapour UV lamp 35, a pulsedXenon UV lamp 35, and a continuous UV lamp 35. The UV lamp 35 may beconfigured to irradiate timed pulses of UV light with each pulse havingpredefined characteristics such as energy, power, wavelength, andfrequency according to an intended application such as disinfection anda distance between the UV lamp 35 and a target surface. For example, theUV lamp 35 may be controlled by the control unit 150 to emit 30 to 1500Joules of energy per pulse of UV light at a predefined frequency rangingfrom 2-100 Hz for a distance of approximately 1 to approximately 3meters between the UV lamp 35 and a target surface. Other suitable pulsecharacteristics may be contemplated for effective disinfection atgreater distances from the target surface. Such pulse characteristicsand other aspects (e.g., operational duration, temperature, ozone gasconcentration, etc.) of the UV lamp 35 may be displayed on the displayunit 45, discussed below, in communication with the UVD device 10.

In one embodiment, the head assembly 30 may be in flow communicationwith the unified airflow system 40 configured for manipulating a fluidpressure to assist decontamination of regions internal as well asexternal to the UVD device 10. The unified airflow system 40 mayestablish a selective flow communication between sites inside andoutside the UVD device 10. The unified airflow system 40 may be furtherconfigured to (1) provide a common or shared fluid passage between apredetermined site and various other sites, which may be fluidicallydisconnected from each other, and (2) manipulate the pressure ordirection of a circulating fluid such as air between the predeterminedsite and those other sites.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment (FIGS. 6-7 ), the UVD device 10may further include the display unit 45 located on the cabinet 20;however, other embodiments may include the display unit 45 connectedremotely to the UVD device 10 over the network. The display unit 45 maybe in communication with a user interface (not shown) indicatinginformation pertaining to the operation of UVD device 10. Differenttypes of user interfaces, including those, which are touch controlled,key-controlled, joystick-controlled, motion-controlled,voice-controlled, and so on may be employed. The user interface may beeither integrated or separately combined with the display unit 45 or theUVD device 10, which may also include a variety of known, related art,or later developed interface(s), including software interfaces (e.g., anapplication programming interface, a graphical user interface, etc.);hardware interfaces (e.g., cable connectors, a keyboard, a card reader,a barcode reader, a biometric scanner, an interactive display screen, aprinter, temperature sensors, light sensors, disinfection sensor, etc.);or both. Such interface(s) may facilitate communication between variousdevices such as the head assembly 30, the unified airflow system 40, theairflow accessory 50, or any other component or device associated withthe UVD device 10. In some embodiments, the interface(s) may facilitatecommunication with other networked devices capable of interacting withthe UVD device 10 over the network.

In one embodiment, the display unit 45 may be or include an interactivedisplay screen allowing an operator to access, control, or dynamicallydefine different functionalities (e.g., automatic spatial movement ofthe UVD device 10, dynamic pathogen detection or identification, etc.)of the UVD device 10. In one example, the display unit 45 may display alogin/logout section and a dashboard. The login/logout section may allowan operator to selectively gain access for using the UVD device 10. Uponbeing logged-in, the display unit 45 may display the dashboard providinga list of functionalities, modes, parameters, avatars, etc. that theoperator may select or modify for a desired operation of the UVD device10. Other embodiments may include the display unit 45 including orproviding a variety of tangible indicators (e.g., light emitting diodes,vibrators, speakers, etc.) or virtual indicators displayable on thedashboard (e.g., numeric indicators, alphanumeric indicators, ornon-alphanumeric indicators, such as different colors, different colorluminance, different patterns, different textures, different graphicalobjects, etc.) known in the art, related art, or developed later toindicate different aspects of the UVD device 10. Examples of theseaspects may include, but not limited to, values of operationalparameters such as frequency, wavelength, dose, power, and energy; aselected mode in operation; operational states of different components;and operation or performance aspects of a networked or physicallyconnected accessory.

In one embodiment, the UVD device 10 may include the airflow accessory50 configured to operate in communication with the unified airflowsystem 40. The airflow accessory 50 may represent any powered ornon-powered fluid management device capable of managing or manipulatingflowrate, direction, physical properties (e.g., temperature, pressure,weight or mass, volume, velocity, concentration, electric charge,viscosity, etc.) or chemical properties (e.g., enthalpy, toxicity, pHvalue, reactivity, flammability, etc.) of a fluid such as air, or any ofits constituents, for an intended purpose. The airflow accessory 50 maybe connected fluidically to the unified airflow system 40 depending onits structural or functional configuration.

The airflow accessory 50 may be adapted to have a variety ofconfigurations. In a first configuration (FIGS. 6-8 ), the airflowaccessory 50 may be configured as a fixed unit (hereinafterinterchangeably referred to as fixed accessory) for being permanentlyconnected to the cabinet 20 by screws 70-1, 70-2, 70-3, and 70-4.However, other suitable connection mechanisms known in the art, relatedart, or developed later including welding and gluing may be contemplateddepending on materials from which the airflow accessory 50 and thecabinet 20 are made. The fixed accessory may be mounted at any suitablelocation away from a projection side of the cabinet 20. The projectionside may refer to any location on the cabinet 20 which can fall in thepath or plane of UV light emitted by the UV lamp 35 during operation inthe open position of the head assembly 30. For example, the fixedaccessory may be mounted on a rear side of the cabinet 20, where therear side may be located behind the front panel 69 of the head assembly30. Such mounting of the fixed accessory away from the projection sidemay prevent a human operator of the fixed accessory from being exposedto the UV light in the event of unintentional activation of the UV lamp35. Alternatively, the fixed accessory or structural aspects thereof maybe formed integral to a portion of the cabinet 20. The fixed accessorymay be made of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid materials known in theart, related art, or developed later. Examples of such materials mayinclude metals, polymers, composites, alloys, or the like. In oneembodiment, the fixed accessory may be configured as a cleaningaccessory including a cleaning unit 110 capable of collecting andstoring contaminants such as dirt and debris using the unified airflowsystem 40, discussed below in further details. The fixed accessory, orthe cleaning unit 110 therein, may also include a fixed accessory hose75 extending proximally out from the body of the fixed accessory. Thefixed accessory hose may 75 allow an operator to guide the airflowthrough the fixed accessory in different directions for an intendedpurpose. For example, the fixed accessory hose 75, directly or with ahose extension kit, may assist to use the airflow provided by theunified airflow system 40 to decontaminate surfaces at a significantheight such as approximately 2 feet or more from the ground. Examples ofsuch surfaces may include, but not limited to, door knobs, wall décor,ceilings and hanging light fixtures therefrom, etc. Other examples mayinclude the fixed accessory hose 75 being used to access surfaces at aheight of less than approximately 2 feet from the ground fordecontamination. In some embodiments, the airflow accessory may bepowered or controlled by components/devices in physical or networkconnection with the UVD device 10.

In a second configuration (FIG. 9 ), the airflow accessory 50 may beadapted to have any suitable shape, design, and geometry for being wornby an operator during use. For example, such wearable airflow accessory50, hereinafter interchangeably referred to as wearable accessory, maybe configured as a backpack or shoulder-type unit, whereby the operatormay detach the wearable accessory from the cabinet 20 or the UVD device10 for use. The wearable accessory may include a hollow body 80 havingopenings (not shown) to receive a first set of hoses including a firstproximal hose 85-1 and a first distal hose 85-2. The first distal hose85-2 may be connected to the unified airflow system 40 provide a fluidchannel between the hollow body 80 and the unified airflow system 40,discussed below in further details. On the other hand, similar to thefixed accessory hose 75, the first proximal hose 85-1, directly or witha hose extension kit, may assist the operator to interact with surfacesat a significant height from the ground for an intended purpose.

The body 80 may include a pair of straps 90 and a loop 95 (FIG. 10 ) foreasy handling or carrying the wearable accessory. The straps 90 mayallow an operator to wear the wearable accessory as a normal backpack orshoulder-mounted accessory during use and thereafter, put the wearableaccessory back on the UVD device 10 by any suitable accessory support105. For example (FIG. 11 ), the handle 100 of the UVD device 10 mayinclude a hook on which the wearable accessory may be hanged by the loop95. Other examples of such accessory support 105 may include, but arenot limited to, a shelf-like structure coupled or attached to thecabinet 20 and an appropriately sized and shaped pod on the cabinet 20in which the wearable accessory may be removably retained. The wearableaccessory may be made of any suitable flexible or semi-rigid andlight-weight materials known in the art, related art, or developed laterincluding polymers. In some embodiments, the wearable accessory may bedetachably mounted on the cabinet 20 through a snap fit mechanism. Othersuitable configurations known in the art, related art, or developedlater including upright, canister, robotic, and handheld configurationsmay also be contemplated for the airflow accessory 50.

Further, the airflow accessory 50 may be adapted for an intendedpurpose. For example (FIG. 12 ), the wearable accessory may include thecleaning unit 110 enclosed in the hollow-body 80 for surfacedecontamination. The cleaning unit 110 may be permanently connected,detachably installed, or formed integral to the body 80 of the wearableaccessory. In one embodiment (FIGS. 13-14 ), the cleaning unit 110 maybe a separate equipment, which may be housed within the hollow body 80of the wearable accessory. The cleaning unit 110 may represent any of avariety of equipment capable of using a fluid such as air forcontaminant collection and filtrating the contaminated fluid after suchcollection to produce a relatively cleaner or clearer fluid. In someembodiments, the cleaning unit 110 may be designed for being usedwithout the airflow accessory 50 and used directly with the unifiedairflow system 40. The cleaning unit 110 may have any suitable shape,dimensions, or configurations depending on the desired ability to removeor collect intended contaminants such as dirt, dust, debris, and fluidwaste.

In one embodiment (FIG. 15 ), the cleaning unit 110 may include a dirtcollection unit 115 and a filtration unit 120. The dirt collection unit115 may refer to any component or device known in the art, related art,or developed later including, but not limited to, a porous bag, afilter, or a combination thereof, capable of collecting and/or storingsolid or semi-solid contaminants while allowing an intended fluid suchas air, or a specific gas, to pass therethrough. Examples of materialsfor the porous bag may include, but are not limited to, natural orsynthetic fibers; polycomposites; foam, meshed or electrostatic paper;or any other suitable materials known in the art, related art, ordeveloped later. The dirt collection unit 115 may be permanentlyconnected, detachably coupled, or formed integral with a second proximalhose 125 (and/or with a hose extension kit) using any of the variety ofconnection mechanisms known in the art. Examples of these connectionmechanisms include, but are not limited to, welding, molding, a snapfit, a screw fit, a luer-lock, and gluing, which may be chosen dependingon the materials from which the dirt collection unit 115 and the secondproximal hose 125 may be made. In the illustrated embodiment, the dirtcollection unit 115 may be detachable from the cleaning unit 110 toassist in removing the contaminants collected therein; however, otherembodiments may include the dirt collection unit 115 being integratedwith the cleaning unit 110 and having a closeable opening for removingthe collected contaminants.

The filtration unit 120, on the other hand, may be permanentlyconnected, detachably coupled, or formed integral with a second distalhose 130 (and/or with a hose extension kit) using any of the variety ofconnection mechanisms such as those mentioned above depending on thematerials from which the filtration unit 120 and the second distal hose130 may be made. The filtration unit 120 may include an accessory filter135, or a combination of different filters, such as those mentionedabove for filtering the fluid such as air passing through the dirtcollection unit 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory filter135 may be a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for filteringthe air received through the dirt collection unit 115. Other examples ofthe accessory filter 135 may include, but are not limited to, ultra-lowpenetration air (ULPA) filters, Micro Fresh filters, allergen filters,and carbon-activated filters.

In some embodiments, the cleaning unit 110 may be integrated with theairflow accessory 50 such as the fixed accessory and the wearableaccessory. One having ordinary skill in the art would understand thatwhen the cleaning unit 110 is integrated with the wearable accessory,only one of the first set of hoses and a second set of hoses, whichincludes the second proximal hose 125 and the second distal hose 130,may be employed. Similar adjustments may be contemplated whenintegrating the cleaning unit 110 with the fixed accessory, e.g., thesecond distal hose 130 may be removed from the cleaning unit 110 anddirectly fitted to the unified airflow system 40 through the airflowaccessory 50. References to the airflow accessory 50 made hereinafterwill refer to a configuration of the airflow accessory 50 which isintegrated with the cleaning unit 110 for removing contaminants.

Further, each of the fixed accessory hose 75, the first proximal hose85-1, and the second proximal hose 125, and/or with a hose extensionkit, (collectively, set of proximal hoses) may enable an operator toeffect cleaning within a reasonable radius depending on the airflowaccessory 50 being mounted to or detached from the cabinet 20. Each hosein the set of proximal hoses may have a free-end configured for beingcoupled to one or more attachments such as an accessory attachment 140.Examples of the accessory attachment may include a nozzle, a brush, ahose, or any other suitable attachments known in the art, related art,or developed later. In some embodiments, the set of proximal hoses maybe configured to suitably manipulate the fluid passage therethrough toincrease or decrease the speed or pressure of a passing fluid such asair based on the Bernoulli's principle. In some other embodiments, theairflow accessory 50 may be a standalone vacuum cleaner which may beconfigured to operate in tandem with an airflow from the unified airflowsystem 40. In further embodiments, the set of proximal hoses may includea UV source (not shown) projecting pulsed-UV light of suitable pulsecharacteristics such as those mentioned above for an intended purposeincluding, but not limited to, disinfection, curing, and sintering.

Other embodiments of the airflow accessory 50 or the cleaning unit 110may be, additionally or alternatively, adapted for odor removal. Forexample, the airflow accessory 50 may include a first compartment inflow communication with or storing a reactive agent and a secondcompartment in flow communication with the unified airflow system 40.Examples of the reactive agent may include, but not limited to, chemicalagents (e.g., alcohols, aldehydes, oxidizing agents, naturally occurringor modified compounds, etc.), physical agents (e.g., heat, pressure,vibration, sound, radiation, plasma, electricity, etc.), and biologicalagents (e.g., living organisms, plants or plant products, organicresidues, etc.). Upon receiving a trigger from a control box such as acontrol unit 150 of the UVD device 10, the airflow accessory 50 mayoperate the first compartment to controllably release the reactive agentfor being mixed with a fluid such as air passing through the secondcompartment. The trigger may be any mechanical, chemical, electricalstimuli, or any combination thereof, capable of manipulating the firstcompartment to controllably release the reactive agent. Alternatively,the second compartment may be triggered to selectively combine the fluidsuch as air with the reactive agent in the first compartment. Thetrigger may be provided manually by an operator or automaticallyeffected by the control unit 150 upon predefined or dynamicallyconditions such intended concentration of the reactive agent in thefluid. The mix of fluid and reactive agent may be released into theunified airflow system 40 or out of the airflow accessory 50 via aproximal hose such as the set of proximal hoses depending on arespective negative pressure or a positive pressure of airflow in theairflow accessory 50. In some embodiments, the airflow accessory 50 suchas a standalone vacuum cleaner may be configured to operate in tandemwith the unified airflow system 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 16 , in one embodiment, the unified airflowsystem 40 may be implemented in flow communication with the UV lamp 35and any suitable fluid management device, such as the airflow accessory50, compatible with the unified airflow system 40; however, the airflowaccessory 50 and the UV lamp 35 may be kept fluidically disconnectedfrom each other. The airflow accessory 50 may have any suitableconfigurations known in the art, related art, or developed laterincluding the fixed accessory and the wearable accessory. In oneembodiment, the unified airflow system 40 may include a unified airflowassembly 145, the control unit 150, and a power supply unit 155. Thecontrol unit 150 may be any electronic or an electromechanical systemconfigured to control predefined or dynamically defined functions andmovements of various components including, but not limited to, theunified airflow assembly 145, the mobile carriage 15, the head assembly30, the UV lamp 35, the motor, and the motorized tilt mechanism 62. Insome embodiments, the control unit 150 may include or be implemented byway of a single device (e.g., a computing device, processor or anelectronic storage device) or a combination of multiple devices. Thecontrol unit 150 may be implemented in hardware or a suitablecombination of hardware and software. The “hardware” may comprise acombination of discrete electronic or electromechanical components, anintegrated circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit, a fieldprogrammable gate array, a digital signal processor, or other suitablehardware. The “software” may comprise one or more objects, agents,threads, lines of code, subroutines, separate software applications, twoor more lines of code or other suitable software structures operating inone or more software applications. The control unit 150 and the unifiedairflow assembly 145 as well as various components of the UVD device 10may be powered by the power supply unit 155 including any source of highvoltage power supply known in the art, related art, or developed later.Examples of the power supply unit 155 may include, but not limited to, aset of one or more batteries placed on the chassis 180 and an externalelectrical outlet via a power cord, which may be stored on a retractablereel disposed inside the cabinet 20.

The unified airflow assembly 145 configured to selectively decontaminateregions internal and external to the UVD device 10 via a shared airpath. The unified airflow assembly 145 may include an airflow regulator160, a vacuum pump 165, and one or more filters. The airflow regulator160 may be configured regulate a flow communication between the vacuumpump 165 and other sites in response to a trigger from the control unit150. For example, the airflow regulator 160 may regulate a flowcommunication between the vacuum pump 165 and the UV lamp 35 mutuallyexclusive to that between the vacuum pump 165 and the airflow accessory50. In some embodiments, the unified airflow assembly 145 may be adaptedto prevent any fluid communication between a site proximate to the UVlamp 35 and any other site located internal or external to the UVDdevice 10. The airflow regulator 160 may communicate with the vacuumpump 165 via a filtration compartment 170 including one or more filtersto remove contaminants from a passing fluid such as air. The vacuum pump165 may be connected to a discharge outlet to direct and discardincoming air from the UV lamp 35 or the airflow accessory 50. Thedischarge outlet may direct the incoming air through a gas filter 175before discharging the air into the ambient surrounding. This gas filter175 may prevent left-over or fluidic contaminants such as unwanted gasessuch as ozone in the incoming air from being released into the ambientsurroundings. Various aspects of the unified airflow system 40 andconfigurations of the unified airflow assembly 145 are described belowin detail with respect to the UVD device 10 of FIGS. 1-5 .

As illustrated in FIGS. 17-20 , the unified airflow system 40 may bemounted on a chassis 180 of the UVD device 10, where the chassis 180 maybe attached to and supported by the mobile carriage 15. Althoughcomponents particularly pertaining to implement the unified airflowsystem 40 are illustrated, one having ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand other components pertaining to various functionalities of theUVD device 10 may be mounted on the chassis 180.

In one embodiment (FIG. 17 ), the unified airflow system 40 includingthe control unit 150, the power supply unit 155, and the unified airflowassembly 145 may be mounted on the chassis 180. In one example, thepower supply unit 155 and the control unit 150 may be mounted on a lowersection of the chassis 180 supported by the mobile carriage 15. Suchpositioning of the power supply unit 155 and the control unit 150 mayassist to balance the weight of the UVD device 10 during movement andmaneuvers; however, other suitable positions or orientations may also becontemplated. The control unit 150 may be configured to operate the UVDdevice 10 in one or more predefined modes such as a disinfection modeand a cleaning mode; however, one having ordinary skill in the art maycontemplate to define and implement additional operational modes for theUVD device 10 or any of the components associated therewith.

In the disinfection mode, the control unit 150 may be configured todrive the unified airflow assembly 145 for establishing a fluidcommunication with the UV lamp 35 for removing hot air containing ozonearound the UV lamp 35 while restricting airflow to/from the airflowaccessory 50. In some embodiments, the control unit 150 may additionallydisable the cleaning unit 110 during the disinfection mode. In thecleaning mode, the control unit 150 may be configured to drive theunified airflow assembly 145 to establish a fluid communication with theairflow accessory 50 for extracting contaminants such as dirt and debrisfrom a target surface while restricting the fluid continuity to the UVlamp 35. In some embodiments, the control unit 150 may additionallydisable the UV lamp 35 during the cleaning mode. The operator may selectone of these modes either through an input device such as the displayunit 45 implemented as an interactive display screen, which may beconfigured to operate in communication with the control unit 150. Otherexamples of the input device may include, but are not limited to, asmartcard, a microphone, a stylus pen, a keyboard, a camera, a switch, arotary knob, a computing device, or any other input device known in theart, related, or developed later. Alternatively, the operator may selectthese modes remotely using a computing device such as those mentionedabove in communication with the control unit 150 over the network.

As shown in FIG. 18 , the unified airflow assembly 145 may have variouscomponents including the airflow regulator 160, a UV hose 185-1 and anaccessory hose 185-2 (collectively, hoses 185), the vacuum pump 165, anda discharge hose 190 providing the discharge outlet. Each of thesecomponents may be manufactured separately and then assembled together.Alternatively, each of the hoses 185 may be integrated with the airflowregulator 160 to create a first part, which may be manufactured as asingle unit. Similarly, the vacuum pump 165 may be integrated with thedischarge hose 190 to create a second part, which may be manufactured asa single unit. The first part may then be detachably coupled to thesecond part for forming the unified airflow assembly 145. Such modularapproach to removably assembling various components of the unifiedairflow assembly 145 may allow for easy replacement in case of any ofthese components become faulty. The airflow regulator 160 coupled to thehoses may be positioned on a top shelf of the chassis 180, e.g., abovethe control unit 150 and the power supply unit 155, for easyconnectivity with predetermined sites.

The airflow regulator 160 may be configured to selectively regulate anairflow between the vacuum pump 165 and a predetermined site, e.g., thecleaning unit 110, relative to another site such as the head assembly 30including the UV lamp 35. The airflow regulator 160 may be made of asingle-piece or multiple pieces assembled together to create asubstantially hollow regulator body including multiple openings and oneor more air restriction units, which may toggle the airflow through eachof those openings between the UV lamp 35 and the airflow accessory 50.In some embodiments, the number of openings may be based on the numberof sites to be fluidically connected to the vacuum pump 165 or thenumber of shared fluid paths. The regulator body may have a variety ofshapes, configurations, and dimensions suitable for the airflowregulator 160 to be (i) secured at a predetermined location within theUVD device 10, and (ii) create a predetermined amount of air pressure atthe openings and in the hoses connected or coupled to those openings ofthe airflow regulator 160. The regulator body may be made up of anysuitable material configured to withstand a predetermined amount ofpressure and temperature that may develop inside or outside the airflowregulator 160. Exemplary materials for the body may be rigid, flexible,or semi-rigid materials including, but not limited to, metals, polymers,composites, alloys, or any other suitable material known in the art,related art, or developed later.

First Configuration of the Airflow Regulator

The airflow regulator 160 may have any suitable configurations based onthe number of sites to be decontaminated and the desired number ofshared fluid paths. For example, in a first configuration (FIGS. 17-19), the airflow regulator 160 may have a substantially Y-configurationfor being fluidically connected to two predetermined sites such as thehead assembly 30 and airflow accessory 50. The airflow regulator 160 mayhave a substantially Y-shaped, rigid, hollow body including a first sidearm 195-1, a second side arm 195-2 (collectively referred to as sidearms 195), and a central arm 200. The first side arm 195-1 may be at apredetermined angle with respect to the second side arm 195-2. In oneexample, the first side arm 195-1 may be perpendicular to the secondside arm 195-2. In another example, an angle between the side arms 195may be less than ninety degrees. The first side arm 195-1 may be coupledto the accessory hose 185-2, which may have a first open end 205extending to the rear side of the UVD device 10. The first open end 205may be secured to a portion of the chassis 180 or the mobile carriage 15for easy connection with a connectable accessory. For example (FIG. 21), the fixed accessory may include an opening (not shown) for beingcoupled to the accessory hose 185-2 via the first open end 205 using anysuitable connection mechanisms. Examples of the connection mechanismsmay include, but not limited to, welding, molding, a snap fit, a screwfit, a luer-lock, and gluing, which may be chosen depending on thematerials from which the fixed accessory may be made. Similarly, theaccessory hose 185-2 may be coupled to the first distal hose 85-2 of thewearable accessory or the second distal hose 130 of the cleaning unit110. On the other hand, the second side arm 195-2 may be coupled to theUV hose 185-1, which may extend to the head assembly 30 (FIG. 20 ) andhave a second open end 210 proximate to the UV lamp 35 (FIG. 17 ). Insome embodiments, the first open end 205 may be coupled to a set ofmultiple hoses or a single hose having multiple openings (not shown)attached to the mobile carriage 15 and oriented towards the floor.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19 , the unified airflow assembly 145 mayinclude the vacuum pump 165, whose one end may be coupled to the airflowregulator 160 from under the top shelf and the other end may be coupledto the discharge hose 190. The vacuum pump 165 may be of any suitabletype known in the art, related art, or developed later. Examples of thevacuum pump 165 include, but are not limited to, a flow-through pump, aperipheral bypass pump, and a tangential bypass pump. The discharge hose190 may extend from the vacuum pump 165 for being coupled to the mobilecarriage 15 via one or more filters configured to absorb reactive gases.In one embodiment, the unified airflow assembly 145 may include a gasfilter 175 interfacing between the discharge hose 190 and the mobilecarriage 15 for absorbing the harmful ozone gas in the hot air producedproximate to the UV lamp 35 due to heating-up of the UV lamp 35 duringoperation. Examples of the gas filter 175 may include, but not limitedto, a charcoal filter, an activated-carbon filter, or any other suitablegas filter 175 known in the art, related art, or developed laterdepending on a desired gas to be filtered or removed.

In some embodiments, the vacuum pump 165 may be configured to operate indifferent modes implemented by the control unit 150. For example, thevacuum pump 165 may be configured to operate in a power mode and ablower mode. In the power mode, the control unit 150 may be configuredto modify aspects of the vacuum pump 165 for manipulating the suctioncapacity thereof or the pressure per unit time of the fluid such as airdriven or passing therethrough. For example, the control unit 150 mayincrease the voltage or current applied to the vacuum pump 165, inaccordance with the manufacturer's specification, to increase the speedof rotation of the vacuum pump 165, thereby increasing the suctioncapacity, and vice versa. In the blower mode, the control unit 150 mayreverse the polarity of the voltage or current applied to the vacuumpump 165, thereby changing the direction of rotation of the vacuum pump165 to create a positive air pressure instead of a negative air pressurein the airflow regulator 160. One having ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand that the blower mode may be implemented provided the vacuumpump 165 is a reversible vacuum pump 165. Further, in some embodiments,the control unit 150 may be configured to drive the unified airflowassembly 145 to block airflow to the UV hose 185-1 in the blower mode.

As shown in FIG. 22 , the body of the Y-shaped airflow regulator 160 mayinclude a first Y-air restriction unit 215-1 and a second Y-airrestriction unit 215-2 (collectively, Y-air restriction units 215). Thefirst Y-air restriction unit 215-1 may be coupled to the first side arm195-1 and the second Y-air restriction unit 215-2 may be coupled to thesecond side arm 195-2 of the Y-shaped airflow regulator 160. The firstY-air restriction unit 215-1 may be configured to control the flowcommunication between the vacuum pump 165 and the airflow accessory 50,and the second Y-air restriction unit 215-2 may be configured to controlthe flow communication between the vacuum pump 165 and the UV lamp 35,or the head assembly 30. Exemplary designs for the Y-air restrictionunits 215 may include, but not limited to, valves, plugs, discs, or anyother suitable designs known in the art, related art, or developedlater. In one embodiment, each of the air restriction units 215 may beimplemented as solenoid valves operating to selectively restrict a fluidpath. For example (FIG. 24 ), a first solenoid valve 220-1 may belocated within the first side arm 195-1 to restrict the airflow throughthe accessory hose 185-2 and a second solenoid valve 220-2 may belocated within the second side arm 195-2 to restrict the airflow throughthe UV hose 185-1. The first solenoid valve 220-1 is illustrated in aclosed position and the second solenoid valve 220-2 is shown in an openposition. Each of the first solenoid valve 220-1 and the second solenoidvalve 220-2 (collectively, solenoid valves 220) may be configured toopen mutually exclusive each other by the control unit 150.

As shown in FIG. 24 , the central arm 200 may extend to the filtrationcompartment 170 including a first chamber 225-1 and a second chamber225-2 separated by a suitable filter such as those mentioned above. Forexample, the central arm 200 may be fluidically coupled to the firstchamber 225-1. Similarly, the second chamber 225-2 may be fluidicallycoupled to the vacuum pump 165 directly or through a vacuum hose.Further, as shown in FIG. 24 , the Y-regulator body of the Y-shapedairflow regulator 160 may include a main opening 230 and peripheralopenings. The central arm 200 of the Y-shaped airflow regulator 160 mayextend into the main opening 230 interfacing with the first chamber225-1 of the filtration compartment 170. Similarly, the first side arm195-1 may extend into a first peripheral opening 235-1 interfacing withthe accessory hose 185-2 and the second side arm 195-2 may extend into asecond peripheral opening 235-2 interfacing with the UV hose 185-1. TheY-air restriction units such as the solenoid valves 220 may beconfigured to control the flow communication, via the main opening 230,of the vacuum pump 165 with (1) the airflow accessory 50 via the firstperipheral opening 235-1 and (2) the UV lamp 35 via the secondperipheral opening 235-2. The first peripheral opening 235-1 and thesecond peripheral opening 235-2 are hereinafter collectively referred toas peripheral openings.

Second Configuration of the Airflow Regulator

In a second configuration illustrated in FIGS. 25-27 , the airflowregulator 160 may have a Y-shaped body including the side arms 195 andthe central arm 200 similar to the first configuration; however (FIG. 25), the airflow regulator 160 may include a single air restriction unit240, instead of two Y-air restriction units 215, movably connected at anintersection point of the first side arm 195-1 and the second side arm195-2 within the Y-shaped airflow regulator 160. The side arms 195 mayhave a predetermined angle between them. The single air restriction unit240 (or S-air restriction unit 240) may be configured to pivot about ahorizontal axis extending across the intersection point. This S-airrestriction unit 240 may pivot to substantially restrict the airflowthrough the first side arm 195-1 or the second side arm 195-2. Forexample, the S-air restriction unit 240 may pivot leftward to block thefirst side arm 195-1 and restrict the airflow therethrough whileallowing the airflow through the second side arm 195-2. Alternatively,the S-air restriction unit 240 may pivot rightward to block the secondside arm 195-2 and restrict the airflow therethrough while allowing theairflow through the first side arm 195-1. While the illustratedembodiments include the S-air restriction unit 240 pivoting tosubstantially block a predetermined air passage within the Y-shapedairflow regulator 160, one skilled in the art may contemplate othersuitable movements including rotary, pan, swivel, tilt, extend, andslide based on the design of the S-air restriction unit 240. Exemplarydesigns of the S-air restriction unit 240 may include such as thosementioned above. Accordingly, such S-air restriction unit 240 may causethe airflow between the central arm 200 and the first side arm 195-1 tobe mutually exclusive to the airflow between the central arm 200 and thesecond side arm 195-2.

The S-air restriction unit 240 may be controlled automatically ormanually using a variety of mechanisms known in the art, related art, ordeveloped later. Exemplary mechanisms may include, but not limited to,electronic/electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical actuation, orany combination thereof. For example, the S-air restriction unit 240 maybe controlled by the control unit 150 to automatically pivot to blockthe first peripheral opening 235-1 when a human is present within apredetermined proximity to the UVD device 10. Further, in addition tothe filtration compartment 170, a first hose filter 245-1 may be securedbetween the first side arm 195-1 and the accessory hose 185-2 and asecond hose filter 245-2 may be secured between the second side arm195-2 and the UV hose 185-1. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 27 , thefirst side arm 195-1 may directly secure a portion of the accessory hose185-2, where the first hose filter 245-1 may be removably secured to theaccessory hose 185-2. Similarly, the second side arm 195-2 may directlysecure a portion of the UV hose 185-1 and the second hose filter 245-2may be removably secured to the UV hose 185-1 or the first distal hose85-2 of the airflow accessory 50, or the second distal hose 130 of thecleaning unit 110.

Third Configuration of the Airflow Regulator

In a third configuration (FIGS. 28-29 ), the airflow regulator 160 mayhave a substantially U-configuration for being fluidically connected totwo predetermined sites such as the UV lamp 35 (or the head assembly 30)and the airflow accessory 50. The airflow regulator 160 may have aU-shaped, rigid, body including a vacuum arm 260, a UV arm 255, and anaccessory arm 250 (FIG. 30 ), which may be parallel to each other.Further, in one example, the accessory arm 250 and the UV arm 255 may bein the same plane. In another example, at least two of the vacuum arm260, the UV arm 255, and the accessory arm 250 may be located in thesame plane. In yet another example, the vacuum arm 260 may be in a planedifferent from those of the UV arm 255 and the accessory arm 250.

The accessory arm 250 may be coupled to the accessory hose 185-2extending to have the first open end 205 opening to the rear side of theUVD device 10. The first open end 205 may be secured to the chassis 180for easy connection with a compatible accessory such as the airflowaccessory 50. On the other hand, the UV arm 255 may be coupled to the UVhose 185-1, which may extend to the head assembly 30 (FIG. 29 ) and havethe second open end 210 proximate to the UV lamp 35 (FIG. 28 ). Similarto the first configuration, the airflow regulator 160 may be verticallyarranged with other components of the unified airflow assembly 145, suchas the filtration compartment 170 and the vacuum pump 165, in theU-configuration (FIG. 31 ); however, other suitable arrangements may becontemplated. One having ordinary skill in the art would understand thatthe arrangement, position, design, and functionalities of rest of thecomponents including the vacuum pump 165, the discharge hose 190, andthe filtration compartment 170 may be same as those described above inthe description for FIGS. 17-20 .

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32 , the U-shaped body of theairflow regulator 160 may include a single air restriction unit coupledto both the UV arm 255 and the accessory arm 250. The air restrictionunit may be configured to selectively open a fluid path from the vacuumpump 165 either to the accessory arm 250 or the UV arm 255, therebycontrolling the flow communication between the vacuum pump 165 andeither the airflow accessory 50 or the UV lamp 35 respectively. In oneembodiment, the air restriction unit may be a linear actuator valve 265configured to transition back and forth to selectively restrict a fluidpath. The actuator valve 265 may include gap 295 configured to alignwith a desired fluid path of either the accessory arm 250 or the UV arm255 upon being triggered by the control unit 150. Such alignment mayopen the desired fluid path, e.g., of the accessory arm 250 or the UVarm 255, to allow a fluid flow therethrough at a given instance.

Similar to the first configuration, the body of the airflow regulator160 may include the main opening 230 and the peripheral openings. Thevacuum arm 260 of the airflow regulator 160 may extend into the mainopening 230 interfacing with the first chamber 225-1 of filtrationcompartment 170. Similarly, the accessory arm 250 may extend into thefirst peripheral opening 235-1 interfacing with the accessory hose185-2, and the UV arm 255 may extend into the second peripheral opening235-2 interfacing with the UV hose 185-1. The linear actuator valve 265may be configured to control the flow communication, via the mainopening 230, of the vacuum pump 165 with (1) the airflow accessory 50via the first peripheral opening 235-1 and (2) the UV lamp 35 via thesecond peripheral opening 235-2. The first peripheral opening 235-1 andthe second peripheral opening 235-2 are hereinafter collectivelyreferred to as peripheral openings 235.

Fourth Configuration of the Airflow Regulator

In a fourth configuration, as depicted in FIGS. 33-34 , the airflowregulator 160 may have a T-shaped, body including a left arm 270, amiddle arm 280, and a right arm 275. In one example, the middle arm 280may be perpendicular to both the left arm 270 and the right arm 275. Inanother example, the left arm 270 and the right arm 275 may be in thesame plane and opposite to each other. In yet another example, each ofthe left arm 270, the middle arm 280, and the right arm 275 may be inthe same plane. In still another example, the middle arm 280 may be in aplane different from that of the left arm 270 and the right arm 275.

The middle arm 280 may extend into the main opening 230, the left arm270 may extend into the first peripheral opening 235-1, and the rightarm 275 may extend into the second peripheral opening 235-2. Each of themain opening 230, the first peripheral opening 235-1, and the secondperipheral opening 235-2 may have a substantially circularcross-section; other suitable cross-sectional shapes, e.g., elliptical,oval, polygon, irregular, etc., may be employed based on a cross-sectionof components being received. Further, as shown in FIG. 33 , the middlearm 280 may removably secure the filtration compartment 170, which inturn may be connected or coupled to a portion of the vacuum hose. Theleft arm 270 may removably secure a filter 285-1, which may be connectedor coupled to the accessory hose 185-2. Similarly, the right arm 275 mayremovably secure a filter 285-2, which may be connected or coupled to aportion of the UV hose 185-1 extending to the head assembly 30 andproximate to the UV lamp 35. Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 34 , themiddle arm 280 may directly secure a portion of the vacuum hose, where afilter 285-3 may be removably secured within the vacuum hose instead ofbeing positioned with the middle arm 280. Further, the left arm 270 maydirectly secure a portion of the accessory hose 185-2, where the filter285-1 may be removably secured to the accessory hose 185-2. Similarly,the right arm 275 may directly secure a portion of the UV hose 185-1,where the filter 285-2 may be removably secured within the UV hose185-1.

In such configuration, the T-shaped airflow regulator 160 may include afirst air restriction unit 290-1 located adjacent to the left arm 270and a second air restriction unit 290-2 located adjacent to the rightarm 275, such that the middle arm 280 may be located between the firstair restriction unit 290-1 and the second air restriction unit 290-2.The first air restriction unit 290-1 may be configured to selectivelyrestrict the airflow through the left arm 270 and the second airrestriction unit 290-2 may be configured to selectively restrict theairflow through the right arm 275.

Each of the first air restriction unit 290-1 and the second airrestriction unit 290-2 (collectively, referred to as air restrictionunits 290) may be configured to transition between a closedconfiguration to an open configuration. In the closed configuration, theair restriction units 290 may move, e.g., substantially perpendicular toa horizontal axis passing through the center of the left arm 270 or theright arm 275, to lock or seal either the left arm 270 and the right arm275 respectively for restricting the airflow through the locked arm. Inthe open configuration, the air restriction units 290 and may move away,e.g., substantially parallel to the horizontal axis passing through thecenter of the left arm 270 or the right arm 275, to open either the leftarm 270 and the right arm 275 respectively, thereby allowing the air topass through the opened arm. One having ordinary skill in the art mayimplement other possible movements including rotary, pan, swivel, tilt,extend, and slide to maneuver the air restriction units based on thedesign or structure of the air restriction units.

Accordingly, air restriction units 290 may cause the airflow between themiddle arm 280 and the left arm 270 to be mutually exclusive to theairflow between the middle arm 280 and the right arm 275. In someembodiments, the air restriction units 290 may open the air passage inresponse to a predetermined temperature being above a predefinedthreshold value in the T-shaped airflow regulator 160.

The air restriction units 290 may be controlled automatically by thecontrol unit 150 or manually using a variety of mechanisms known in theart, related art, or developed later. Examples of such mechanisms mayinclude, but not limited to, electronic/electrical, mechanical, orelectromechanical actuation, or any combination thereof. For example,the first air restriction unit 290-1 may automatically pivot to blockthe first peripheral opening 235-1 when a human is present proximate tothe UVD device 10.

FIGS. 35-42 illustrate exemplary methods of using the unified airflowsystem 40 implemented on the UVD device 10 of FIG. 1 , according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The order in which the methods aredescribed is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and anynumber of the described method steps can be combined or otherwiseperformed in any order to implement the methods, or an alternate method.Additionally, individual aspects may be deleted from the method withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the subject matter describedherein. Furthermore, aspects of the methods can be implemented in anysuitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof, thatexists in the related art or that is later developed.

The methods describe, without limitation, implementation of the UVDdevice 10 for disinfection and cleaning services scenario. One of skillin the art will understand that the method may be modified appropriatelyfor implementation in a variety of scenarios without departing from thescope and spirit of the disclosure.

The methods are described with respect to different configurations ofthe airflow regulator 160 of the unified airflow assembly 145. FIGS.35-36 illustrate a method with respect to the first configuration of theairflow regulator 160; FIGS. 37-38 illustrates a method with respect tothe second configuration; FIGS. 39-40 illustrates a method with respectto the third configuration; and FIGS. 41-42 illustrates a method withrespect to the fourth configuration of the airflow regulator 160discussed above.

The UVD device 10 may be implemented with the unified airflow system 40and coupled to the airflow accessory 50 configured for decontaminationof a target surface. The UVD device 10 may be configured to operate inpredetermined modes via the control unit 150. In one embodiment, the UVDdevice 10 may be configured to operate in a disinfection mode and acleaning mode, each of which may be implemented in any order; however,an operator may select and perform operations pertaining to the cleaningmode prior to those of the disinfection mode for faster and wholisticdecontamination. During operation, an operator may select one of themodes using any of the input devices known in the art, related art, ordeveloped later. For example, the operator may login on an interactivedisplay screen of the display unit 45 in communication with the controlunit 150 and select one of those modes on the screen. The control unit150 may be configured to control the operation of the UVD device 10 aswell as that of the unified airflow system 40. In some embodiments, thecontrol unit 150 may facilitate the unified airflow system 40 beingcontrolled independent of the UVD device 10. In some other embodiments,each of the unified airflow system 40 and the UVD device 10 may havededicated control boxes working in synchronization with each other forthe intended operation.

Cleaning Mode

When the cleaning mode is selected, the control unit 150 may deactivatethe head assembly 30 including the operation of the UV lamp 35, andallow for activation of the airflow accessory 50, or the cleaning unit110, coupled to the unified airflow assembly 145 via the first open end205 of the accessory hose 185-2 secured to the chassis 180. At thispoint, the control unit 150 may be configured to drive the head assembly30 in the retracted position or shut down the UV lamp 35 or orient theUV lamp 35 to project towards the UVD device 10. However, in someexamples, the control unit 150 may operate to shut down the UV lamp 35while keeping the head assembly 30 in the open position.

In the first configuration of the airflow regulator 160 (FIG. 36 ), thecontrol unit 150 may drive the second restriction unit 215-2 in thesecond side arm 195-2 to selectively restrict an airflow between thevacuum pump 165 and the UV lamp 35 or a site proximate thereto. Forexample, the control unit 150 may rotate the second solenoid valve 220-2in the second side arm 195-2 to close the airflow passage therethrough,thereby blocking the airflow passage leading to the UV lamp 35 via theUV hose 185-1 coupled to the second side arm 195-2. However, the firstrestriction unit 215-1 such as the first solenoid valve 220-1 in thefirst side arm 195-1 may be maintained in an open position by thecontrol unit 150. As a result, a flow communication may be establishedbetween the vacuum pump 165, via the central arm 200, and the airflowaccessory 50, or the cleaning unit 110, via the UV hose 185-1 coupled tothe first side arm 195-1.

Similarly, in the second configuration of the airflow regulator 160(FIG. 38 ), the control unit 150 may drive the air restriction unit 240to pivot towards the second side arm 195-2 of the Y-shaped airflowregulator 160 while keeping an airflow passage open in the first sidearm 195-1. As a result, the airflow passage leading to the UV lamp 35via the UV hose 185-1 coupled to the first side arm 195-1 may beblocked. However, the airflow passage towards the airflow accessory 50,or the cleaning unit 110, via the accessory hose 185-2 coupled to thefirst side arm 195-1 may remain open, thereby establishing a flowcommunication between the vacuum pump 165, via the central arm 200, andthe airflow accessory 50, or the cleaning unit 110, via the first sidearm 195-1 and the accessory hose 185-2 connected thereto.

Further, in the third configuration of the airflow regulator 160 (FIG.40 ), the control unit 150 may drive the air restriction unit such asthe linear actuator valve 265, e.g., to the left as shown, for closingthe UV arm 255 while aligning the gap 295 in the actuator valve 265 withairflow passage in the accessory arm 250. As a result, the airflowpassage in the UV arm 255 may be blocked and that in the accessory arm250 may be open, thereby establishing a flow communication between thevacuum pump 165, via the central arm 200, and the airflow accessory 50,or the cleaning unit 110, via the accessory arm 250 and the accessoryhose 185-2 connected thereto.

In the fourth configuration of the airflow regulator 160 (FIG. 42 ), thecontrol unit 150 may drive the second air restriction unit 290-2 toextend toward the right arm 275 of the airflow regulator 160. Forexample, the second air restriction unit 290-2 may be driven to besubstantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis passing through thecenter of the right arm 275, thereby blocking the airflow passageleading to the UV lamp 35 via the UV hose 185-1. As a result, the secondair restriction unit 290-2 substantially restricts a flow communicationbetween the vacuum pump 165 and the UV lamp 35 from within the airflowregulator 160. On the other hand, the control unit 150 may pivot thefirst air restriction unit 290-1 away from the left arm 270 to unblockan air passage that extends to the airflow accessory 50, or the cleaningunit 110, via the left arm 270 of the airflow regulator 160. Thisunblocked air passage may extend to the airflow accessory 50, or thecleaning unit 110, through the accessory hose 185-2, which, at one end,may be coupled to the airflow accessory 50 directly, or via a distalhose coupled thereto. At the other end, the accessory hose 185-2 may becoupled to the left arm 270. As a result, a flow communication may beestablished between the accessory hose 185-2, or the cleaning unit 110,and the vacuum pump 165 via the left arm 270.

Subsequently, when the vacuum pump 165 may be activated by the controlunit 150, it may create a suction airstream, or a negative air pressure,in the accessory hose 185-2, and by extension in the first set of hosesof the airflow accessory 50 or the second set of hoses of the cleaningunit 110 via the airflow regulator 160. The suction airstream may drawair from the set of proximal hoses, which may accordingly extractcontaminants, e.g., from a surface or atmosphere due to the negative airpressure created by the suction airstream. Although the extractedcontaminants may be collected in the dirt collection unit 115, the drawnair may become unclean due such contaminants. This unclean air may befiltered by the filtration unit 120 in the airflow accessory 50, or thecleaning unit 110, as well as the filtration compartment 170 coupledbetween the airflow regulator 160 and the vacuum pump 165. The filteredair may be expelled from the UVD device 10 through the discharge hose190 of the vacuum pump 165 via the airflow regulator 160, while theblocked air passage between the vacuum pump 165 and the UV hose 185-1prevents the unclean air from moving across to the UV lamp 35. Further,the drawn unclean air may be filtered by any additional filters locatedalong the airflow path between the airflow accessory 50, or the cleaningunit 110, and the vacuum pump 165. Accordingly, the proximal hoses maybe moved around for removing contaminants from intended surfaces in adesignated area using the suction airstream provided by the unifiedairflow system 40.

Disinfection Mode

After the cleaning operation or when surface disinfection is desired,the operator may deactivate the cleaning mode and remotely select thedisinfection mode on the UVD device 10. The operator may devoid humanoccupancy in the designated area where the disinfection is to beperformed prior to activating the disinfection mode to avoid healthhazards due to the UV light.

When the disinfection mode is activated, the control unit 150 maydeactivate the airflow accessory 50 and allow for activation of the headassembly 30 and that of the UV lamp 35. At this point, the control unit150 may be configured to drive the head assembly 30 to the open positionfrom the retracted position. In the open position, the control unit 150may drive the head assembly 30 out of the recess 60 in the cabinet 20 toa predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal axis substantiallyparallel to the floor.

In the first configuration of the airflow regulator 160 (FIG. 35 ), thecontrol unit 150 may drive the first restriction unit 215-1 in the firstside arm 195-1 to selectively restrict an airflow between the vacuumpump 165 and the airflow accessory 50, or the cleaning unit 110. Forexample, the control unit 150 may rotate the first solenoid valve 220-1in the first side arm 195-1 to close the airflow passage therethrough,thereby blocking the airflow passage leading to the airflow accessory50, or the cleaning unit 110, via the accessory hose 185-2. However, thesecond restriction unit 215-2 such as the second solenoid valve 220-2 inthe second side arm 195-2 may be maintained in an open position by thecontrol unit 150. As a result, a flow communication may be establishedbetween the vacuum pump 165, via the central arm 200, and the UV lamp 35via the UV hose 185-1 coupled to the second side arm 195-2.

Similarly, in the second configuration of the airflow regulator 160(FIG. 37 ), the control unit 150 may drive the air restriction unit 240to pivot towards the first side arm 195-1 of the Y-shaped airflowregulator 160 while keeping an airflow passage open in the second sidearm 195-2. As a result, the airflow passage leading to the airflowaccessory 50, or the cleaning unit 110, via the accessory hose 185-2coupled to the first side arm 195-1 may be blocked. However, the airflowpassage towards the UV lamp 35 via the UV hose 185-1 coupled to thesecond side arm 195-2 may remain open, thereby establishing a flowcommunication between the vacuum pump 165, via the central arm 200, andthe UV lamp 35 via the second side arm 195-2 and the UV hose 185-1connected thereto.

Further, in the third configuration of the airflow regulator 160 (FIG.39 ), the control unit 150 may drive the air restriction unit such asthe linear actuator valve 265, e.g., to the right as shown, for closingthe accessory arm 250 while aligning the gap 295 in the actuator valve265 with airflow passage in the UV arm 255. As a result, the airflowpassage in the accessory arm 250 may be blocked and that in the UV arm255 may be open, thereby establishing a flow communication between thevacuum pump 165, via the central arm 200, and the UV lamp 35 via the UVarm 255 and the UV hose 185-1 connected thereto.

In the fourth configuration of the airflow regulator 160 (FIG. 41 ), thecontrol unit 150 may drive the first air restriction unit 290-1 toextend toward the left arm 270 of the airflow regulator 160. Forexample, the first air restriction unit 290-1 may be driven to besubstantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis passing through thecenter of the left arm 270, thereby blocking the airflow passage leadingto the airflow accessory 50 via the accessory hose 185-2. As a result,the first air restriction unit 290-1 substantially restricts a flowcommunication between the vacuum pump 165 and the airflow accessory 50,or the cleaning unit 110, from within the airflow regulator 160. On theother hand, the control unit 150 may pivot the second air restrictionunit 290-2 away from the right arm 275 to unblock an air passage thatextends to the UV lamp 35 via the right arm 275 of the airflow regulator160. This unblocked air passage may extend to the UV lamp 35 through theUV hose 185-1, which, at one end, may be proximate to the UV lamp 35 inthe head assembly 30 and at the other end, may be coupled to the rightarm 275. As a result, a flow communication may be established betweenthe UV lamp 35 and the vacuum pump 165 via the right arm 275.

Subsequently, upon being switched on by the control unit 150, e.g.,based on an input received from an operator, the vacuum pump 165 maycreate a suction airstream, or a negative air pressure, in the UV hose185-1. The suction airstream may draw the hot air proximate to the UVlamp 35 via the UV hose 185-1, thereby cooling the UV lamp 35. The drawnhot air may be expelled through the discharge hose 190 of the vacuumpump 165 via the airflow regulator 160 while the respective airrestriction units 215-1, 220-1, 240, 265, 290-1 blocking the air passageto the airflow accessory 50 may prevent the unclean air or any residuein the accessory hose 185-2 coupled to the airflow accessory 50, or thecleaning unit 110, from moving across to the UV lamp 35. Further, thehot air drawn from the UV lamp 35 may contain ozone, which may befiltered by one or more filters such as the gas filter 175 coupled tothe discharge hose 190 along the airflow passage between the UV lamp 35and the vacuum pump 165, thereby preventing any health hazards.

While being cooled by the suction airstream, the control unit 150 mayorient the head assembly 30 at predetermined angles for the UV lamp 35to project the UV light on intended surfaces such floor, walls,ceilings, and objects in a designated area. The UV light may disinfectthe surfaces, which were previously decontaminated during the cleaningmode, for a wholistic and faster decontamination. The disinfection modemay be activated for a predefined or dynamically defined duration andmay be interrupted either on-demand by the operator or based on presetor dynamically set conditions such as those indicated by various sensors(e.g., motion/vibration sensors, occupancy/proximity sensors, ozonesensors, temperature sensors, smoke sensors, pathogen level detectionsensors, etc.) in communication with the UVD device 10. Examples ofthese conditions may include, but not limited to, motion detection inthe proximity of the UVD device 10 or remote sensors communicatingtherewith, temperature of the UV lamp above a predefined threshold,accumulation of ozone above a predefined threshold, and so on.

The above description does not provide specific details of manufactureor design of the various components. Those of skill in the art arefamiliar with such details, and unless departures from those techniquesare set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designsand materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable ofchoosing suitable manufacturing and design details. Notably, the figuresand examples described herein are not meant to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure to a single embodiment, but other embodiments arepossible by way of interchange of some or all of the described orillustrated elements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined intoother systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen orunanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvementstherein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surface disinfection device, the devicecomprising: an articulated head assembly supported on a mobile carriage;an ultraviolet source driven by a high voltage power supply, theultraviolet source being positioned within the articulated head assemblyand being configured to disinfect a first target surface by ultravioletradiation; a vacuum pump configured to create a suction airstream anairflow accessory spaced from the articulated head assembly and capableof extracting contaminants from a second target surface using thesuction airstream; a unified airflow system configured to fluidicallyinterface the suction airstream between the articulated head assemblyand the airflow accessory; the unified airflow system including: acontrol unit configured to operate the surface disinfection device inone or more modes, the one or more modes including a first mode and asecond mode different than the first mode; and an airflow regulatorcoupled to the vacuum pump and configured to provide a shared airflowpassage between the vacuum pump and one of the articulated head assemblyand the airflow accessory, wherein the articulated head assembly and theairflow accessory are fluidically isolated from each other; and wherein:when in the first mode, the airflow accessory is deactivated; theultraviolet source is driven by the high voltage power supply toirradiate the first target surface while the suction airstream cools theultraviolet source, and when in the second mode, the ultraviolet sourceis deactivated and the airflow accessory employs the suction airstreamto extract contaminants from the second target surface.
 2. The surfacedisinfection device of claim 1, wherein the airflow regulator includesat least one air restriction unit configured to selectively direct thesuction airstream within the shared airflow passage from either thearticulated head assembly or the airflow accessory to the vacuum pump.3. The surface disinfection device of claim 1, wherein the unifiedairflow system further includes a filtration compartment between theairflow regulator and the vacuum pump, wherein the filtrationcompartment filters the suction airstream from the airflow regulator. 4.The surface disinfection device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum pump iscoupled to a discharge outlet for exhausting the suction airstream fromthe shared airflow passage, the discharge outlet being coupled to a gasfilter configured to remove ozone received from the ultraviolet source.5. The surface disinfection device of claim 1, wherein the airflowaccessory is removably coupled to the mobile carriage.
 6. The surfacedisinfection device of claim 1, wherein the airflow accessory includes adirt collection unit in flow communication with the shared airflowpassage, wherein the dirt collection unit is configured to storecontaminants drawn from the second target surface by the suctionairstream.
 7. The surface disinfection device of claim 6, wherein thedirt collection unit includes a proximal hose in flow communication withthe shared airflow passage, wherein the proximal hose is configured toaccess the second target surface to collect contaminants using thesuction airstream.
 8. The surface disinfection device of claim 7,wherein the airflow accessory further includes a filtration unit forfiltering the airstream received from the dirt collection unit.
 9. Thesurface disinfection device of claim 1, wherein the articulated headassembly is configured to rotate at predetermined angles about ahorizontal axis as well as a vertical axis to orient the ultravioletlamp in predefined directions.
 10. A unified airflow system for surfacedisinfection devices, the system comprising: a unified airflow assemblyproviding a shared airflow passage between an ultraviolet source fordisinfecting a first target surface by ultraviolet radiation and anairflow accessory, the airflow accessory being capable of extractingcontaminants from a second target surface using a suction airstream, theunified airflow assembly including at least one air restriction unit inthe shared airflow passage for directing the suction airstream betweenthe ultraviolet source and the airflow accessory and a control unitconfigured to drive the at least one air restriction unit to restrictthe suction airstream to only one of the ultraviolet source and theairflow accessory, the control unit being configured to operate thesurface disinfection device in a first mode and a second mode differentthan the first mode, wherein: when in the first mode, the airflowaccessory is deactivated; the ultraviolet source is driven to irradiatethe first target surface and the suction airstream cools the ultravioletsource, and when in the second mode, the ultraviolet source isdeactivated and the airflow accessory employs the suction airstream toextract contaminants from the second target surface.
 11. The unifiedairflow system of claim 10, wherein the unified airflow assemblyincludes a vacuum pump for creating the suction airstream in the sharedairflow passage and the control unit directs the suction airstreambetween the vacuum pump and either the ultraviolet source or the airflowaccessory.
 12. The unified airflow system of claim 11 further includinga filtration compartment for filtering the suction airstream from eitherthe ultraviolet source or the airflow accessory before the suctionairstream reaches the vacuum pump.
 13. The unified airflow system ofclaim 11, wherein the vacuum pump is coupled to a discharge outlet forexhausting the suction airstream from the shared airflow passage, thedischarge outlet being coupled to a gas filter configured to removeozone from an airflow received from the ultraviolet source via theshared airflow passage.
 14. The unified airflow system of claim 10,wherein the airflow accessory includes a dirt collection unit in flowcommunication with the shared airflow passage, wherein the dirtcollection unit is configured to store contaminants drawn from thesecond target surface by the suction airstream.